Cricket, India: A history (2016)
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Revision as of 22:18, 27 September 2016
This is a collection of newspaper articles selected for the excellence of their content. |
August, vs. West Indies: India wins away series
The Times of India, Aug 24 2016
[ The Times of India]
Shashank Shekhar India's four-Test West Indies series finished with the washed-out final Test at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad.
PLAYER OF THE SERIES l RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN (235 RUNS AT 58.75; 17 WICKETS AT 23.17):
The off-spinner who has always been a capable lower-order bat metamorphosed into a genuine Test allrounder.
Ashwin, the top allrounder in the ICC rankings, delivered with both bat and ball virtually every time the team needed him to. His bonus offering was with the willow -he constructed two centuries in four innings and finished with 235 runs in the series, only 16 less than the highest from both teams -251 by Virat Kohli. Ashwin complied 35 more than the highest anyone from the other camp could manage: Kraigg Brathf waite's 200 in seven innings.
While his first ton, in Antigua, helped the team consolidate its commanding position, his second, in St. Lucia, took India out of a deep hole. He more than justified his promotion to No. 6 in the batf ting order, playing with the attitude of a top-order batsman.
With the ball, he was, expectedly, the tormentor-in-chief, preying on the victims with a heady concoction of turn, dip, flight and subtle change of pace. His 17 wickets in the series, in which one Test was almost entirely washed out, was way more than any other bowler from both sides.
GAINS FOR INDIA MOHAMMAD SHAMI (11 WICKETS AT 25.81):
The pacer made an impressive comeback into the team after 18 months in the wilderness following an ankle injury which needed surgery . His hard work at the NCA before the national callup built him up for the grind.
Shami was brisk and bowled a testing length, drawing high praise from captain Virat Kohli and coach Anil Kumble. Pace partner Umesh Yadav said the team had no doubt that Shami would be back in style as he was a bowler with `natural excellence.'
WRIDDHIMAN SAHA (205 RUNS AT 51.25; 9 CATCHES, 2 STUMPINGS):
The wicketkeeper-batsman, accomplished as usual behind the stumps, established his worth with the bat too this time, garnering 205 runs in the series, including a maiden century, which came in trying circumstances in the third Test.
Saha, who grew in confidence as the series progressed, has virtually stamped his name on the wicketkeeper-batsman slot for some time to come. No surprise, his performance drew praise from many former wicketkeepers like Jeff Dujon and Farokh Engineer.
BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR (6 WICKETS AT 9.83):
Bhuvi was another pacer who came back strongly after struggling with injury and form issues in 2016. His surprise inclusion for the St Lucia Test bore fruit when he opened up the gate to victory with a sensational spell of swing bowling on the fourth day. He moved the ball more than any other pacer on show in the match.
INNINGS OF THE SERIES ROSTON CHASE (137 N.O. IN KINGSTON):
The phlegmatic Chase, playing in only his second Test, followed up his five-wicket haul in India's first innings with an innings of such control that it put the established batsmen in the West Indies to shame.At 484 in their second essay and still 256 short of matching India's first innings score of 500, the hosts were gone for good. But Chase's advent changed the contour of the game. He held the innings together and played the rampant Indian bowling like a seasoned pro to lead the team to safety. Chase was on the crease for close to six hours.
PARTNERSHIP OF THE SERIES: ASHWIN-SAHA (213 FOR 6TH WKT IN ST. LUCIA):
India were losing their grip at 1265 in the Gros Islet Test when Ashwin and Saha came together to blunt the West Indies attack on a difficult batting strip.Their 213-run partnership in 71.2 overs gave India a handy first-innings total, leading to a crushing win. Skipper Kohli called it the `most important partnership of the series.'
BOWLING SPELL OF THE SERIES BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR (11.4-6-165 IN ST. LUCIA):
With an entire day lost to rain, the third Test looked like meandering into a stalemate till Bhuvneshwar began weaving his magic in the post-lunch session on Day 4. Playing Test cricket after 18 months, Bhuvi made the ball snake out and snake in to leave the West Indies batsmen groping.
See also
Cricket, India: A history (2016)
